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Xeon DP/SP Hardware Guide/Discussion to Build Your Own System
- Thread starter nanofrog
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If only Apple could have jiggered this into the Mac Pro's case. God knows how those PCI-E slots are configured, 2 x16 and 4 x8 perhaps? Or maybe 3 full x16 slots in there. The 18 memory slots would have been nice too. Form over function I guess 
If only Apple could have jiggered this into the Mac Pro's case. God knows how those PCI-E slots are configured, 2 x16 and 4 x8 perhaps? Or maybe 3 full x16 slots in there. The 18 memory slots would have been nice too. Form over function I guess
What, and give people something they could really get some power out of? NEVER!
I would think a few of the slots are 8x/16x switched, if not all 3. The balance being dedicated 8x. Now if it has OC friendly firmware, that would be awesome!
What, and give people something they could really get some power out of? NEVER!
I would think a few of the slots are 8x/16x switched, if not all 3. The balance being dedicated 8x. Now if it has OC friendly firmware, that would be awesome!
As it has two I/O Hubs I would think providing lots of PCI-E is a feature. There are 68 usable PCI-E 2.0 lanes I think. Two lots of 36 with 4 used for connecting to the south bridge I believe, which provides another x4 PCI-E 1.0.
I've seen a description indicating how you view the lane distribution. Tylersburg parts requiring 4 lanes per QPI deducted.
But I've also seen it another way, where the Tylersburg parts don't include the additional 4 lanes per QPI in the number, so a 36D for example, is 36 usable lanes + 8 lanes for Dual QPI.
Confusing to say the least, but if the first is true, then the 36D or 24D would only have a usable 28 and 16 lanes for PCIe slots respectively.
I'd have to put a little more thought into it, but it should be possible to figure it out.
I've seen a description indicating how you view the lane distribution. Tylersburg parts requiring 4 lanes per QPI deducted.
But I've also seen it another way, where the Tylersburg parts don't include the additional 4 lanes per QPI in the number, so a 36D for example, is 36 usable lanes + 8 lanes for Dual QPI.
Confusing to say the least, but if the first is true, then the 36D or 24D would only have a usable 28 and 16 lanes for PCIe slots respectively.
I'd have to put a little more thought into it, but it should be possible to figure it out.
Have you seen any Core i7 boards that offer 36 or 24 PCI-E 2.0 lanes? I guess that would clear things up. It's just so confusing without having access to documentation and all the sources are based on differing interpretations.
On that note, an i7 920 has been listed on Geekbench in excess of 12,700. Far faster than the 2.8 Octo '08 model.
For sure. An overclocked DP i7 920 will absolutely destroy the current 2.9Ghz Octo Pros.
Some of the giga-bye ones should, this one looks to have something like 24 2.0 lanes, plus some 1.0 lanes also me thinks.
http://www.gigabyte-usa.com/Products/Motherboard/Products_Overview.aspx?ProductID=2961
It's only a SP board, but I guess I'm interested in the giga-bytes because it should be compatible with the EFIX.
That I think about it, it doesn't appear the QPI lanes are deducted.
The board you posted looks like this from what I can tell:
1 (16x dedicated)
2 (8/16x switched)[16x & 8x slot as a pair sharing 16 lanes]
1 (8x dedicated)
1 (4x dedicated, using an electrical 8x slot)
That would work out to a 36D + 24D.
The board I'm currently using, ASUS P6T6 WS Revolution has:
1 (16x dedicated)
2 (8/16x switched)
1 (4x dedicated using an electrical 8x slot)
This apparently was accomplished with a 36S + nForce 200, as it's an SLI (triple) compliant board.
Assuming they test that particular board, and pass it.
Going with the USB solution seems is rather limiting with hardware (board).
I know.
I'm typing this on one!
That's a nice case.
If I needed a mid tower, that would be one to check out.
Can you give an idea of cost, for those who might want to consider it?
It's $64.99 right now a Fry's and it tends to hover +/- $10 around there.That's a nice case.
If I needed a mid tower, that would be one to check out.
Can you give an idea of cost, for those who might want to consider it?
I want it for all the sound dampening stuff in it. Otherwise I'd be looking at a Cooler Master 690. I REALLY want a Cosmos 1000 but that's just too far outside of my budget for a case.
WOW! good price, from the pic. I need to see the internals.
You may not need the sound absorption material though. I don't use it (full tower though), and it's actually quiet, even when I pushed it to 4.0GHz on air. Backed it off to 3.8 for stability. (Still testing). Background noise covers it, and what is audible, isn't bothersome.
I don't overclock my CPU since I don't do anything that would benefit from the gain. My passively cooled 4830 is another story with it running at greater than 4850 speeds and never breaking 65° C. The previous link does show the internals. I just want a quiet machine.WOW! good price, from the pic. I need to see the internals.
You may not need the sound absorption material though. I don't use it (full tower though), and it's actually quiet, even when I pushed it to 4.0GHz on air. Backed it off to 3.8 for stability. (Still testing). Background noise covers it, and what is audible, isn't bothersome.
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That would be a nice case for non OC'd systems.
Might get too hot though, if you change your mind. Sound absorption material = BLANKET
Add OC'd CPU, and it's basically an electric blanket. Might be good in the winter though.
I only have my CPU fan and an exhaust fan right now. It's working fine in my Elite 330.That would be a nice case for non OC'd systems.
Sound absorption material = BLANKET
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But the vents you're not fond of do serve a purpose.
You need a cold air (room ambient temp) intake somewhere. Without vents, it's going to recycle some of the hot air internally, and that increases the ambient temp at the cooler intake. Less temp differential, and the cooling capacity is reduced. You could potentially cook the CPU!
I won one of those from Intel a year ago, wish I'd had the drive to move all my stuff into it instead of selling it. Oh well.
Edit:
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/asus-nehalem-xeon-motherboard,7211.html
The Z8NA-D6, from Asus. Dual sockets that support ANY Nehalem processor. Fits in almost any ATX case. Apple's got some 'splainin' to do.
Edit:
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/asus-nehalem-xeon-motherboard,7211.html
The Z8NA-D6, from Asus. Dual sockets that support ANY Nehalem processor. Fits in almost any ATX case. Apple's got some 'splainin' to do.
Sorry, you're a little late.
(See post 48). It's an interesting board, no doubt.
It seems to be the replacement for their Z7S WS board for Harpertown chips, and was a direct competitor to the original Skulltrial. Worked better as well. Some might be concerned about the number of DIMM slots. Personally, I think most really wouldn't need over 12GB, (keeping with the 2GB sticks). Fortunately, there will be 4GB versions available for those who need it.
And I'm thinking they will release approximately at the same time Intel makes their formal announcement for the Xeon 5500/3500 series parts. Others might have issues with the single 16x lane PCIe slot. Not sure how many will actually be affected by this one.
The ATX format would make for a lot more options in terms of a case, particularly for some who may have one already, and can't fit an E-ATX/EEB format.
I'm still waiting for board makers to release detailed specs on their websites, but it hasn't happened yet, last I looked. (I really don't expect it until the end of the month).
I think I'll keep what I have for now. I'll hand down my Q6600 system to my brother who is doing work on an Athlon XP 3000+ for Christmas.
Any word on Core i5? A lot of the LGA 1156 boards are popping up but Intel is mum about anything new right now.
Any word on Core i5? A lot of the LGA 1156 boards are popping up but Intel is mum about anything new right now.
Personally I think waiting for next year with all of those new graphics cards in addition to new chips is a smart move. Then again, my current computers (Save my G4) aren't particularly slow, so waiting is an easy option for me.
I had a feeling it had been, but thought it was too good to pass up on the off chance someone else hadn't noticed it. Obviously I couldn't just go back through the thread and actually look for it. No, I chuckle at the thought.
I had a feeling it had been, but thought it was too good to pass up on the off chance someone else hadn't noticed it. Obviously I couldn't just go back through the thread and actually look for it. No, I chuckle at the thought.
I have only been half following this thread, but the higher end XEON's are available now.
No wonder they put the low end in the configuration
Neobit's Xeon's
No wonder they put the low end in the configuration
Neobit's Xeon's